Hand-held dispenser

ABSTRACT

A portable, hand-held dispenser having a substantially semicylindrical member, upon which a roll of tape is mounted, and support structure extending outwardly from said member. Resiliently biased stop means is mounted on said member for releasably holding the roll of tape on the member, and a cutting edge on the outer end of the support structure is engageable by the strip of tape. A guide element and thumb engaging flange are also provided on the supporting structure.

United States. Patent Waltz [54] HAND-HELD DISPENSER [72] Inventor: Edward Waltz, Grand Rapids, Mich.

[73] Assignee: The E. O. Bulman Manufacturing 0)., Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich.

[22] Filed: June 22, 1970 [2]] Appl. No.: 48,402

[52] US. Cl. ..225/66 51] Int. Cl. ..B26f 3/02 [58] Field of Search ..225/47, 65, 66

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,085,727 4/1963 Waltz ..225/66 2,640,656 6/1953 Donkin ..225/66 X 3,170,613 2/1965 Casey ..225/66 51 Oct. 10,1972

Maddalena ..225/66 Waltz ..225/66 X Primary Examiner-Andrew R. Juhasz Assistant ExaminerLeon Gilden Attorney-Woodhams, Blanchard and Flynn ABSTRACT A portable, hand-held dispenser having a substantially semi-cylindrical member, upon which a roll of tape is mounted, and support structure extending outwardly from said member. Resiliently biased stop means is mounted on said member for releasably holding the roll of tape on the member, and a cutting edge on the outer end of the support structure is engageable by the strip of tape. A guide element and thumb engaging flange are also provided on the supporting structure.

3 Clains, 5 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to a portable, handheld device attachable to a roll of tape, such as masking tape, for dispensing said tape and, more particularly, relates to a small tape dispenser which can fit comfortably within the grasp of a normal adult hand and which, therefore, can be operated effectively by said one hand to apply a piece of tape from the roll thereof to an object which may, for example, be held by the other hand.

Many types of portable and manually operable devices have been developed for the purpose of supporting a roll of tape and for dispensing the tape from the roll. One example of this'type of dispenser is disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,149,764, entitled Portable Tape Dispenser. In the course of attempting to improve upon my aforesaid patented dispenser, I discovered that additional bearing surface adjacent the cutting edge was desirable for many applications of tape. Moreover, there were times when, and uses where, the clamping means for holding the tape against.

excessive run out, was neither desirable nor advantageous. Moreover, it was found desirable to minimize the number of moving parts in a dispenser of this type and the result was the dispensing device disclosed in detail hereinafter.

Accordingly, the primary object of this invention is the provision of a manually operable and portable dispenser fulfilling the aforesaid needs, namely, providing a larger surface adjacent the cutting edge for positioning the tape upon the object to which it is being applied, minimizing the resistance to the free rotation of the roll of tape within the dispenser and minimizing movable parts which can create wear and/or failures.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a portable tape dispensing device, as aforesaid, which is inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction and foolproof in operation.

Other objects and purposes of this invention will become apparent to persons familiar with this type of device upon reading the following descriptive material and examining the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a side elevational view of a dispenser embodying the invention in normal operating position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of said portable dispenser.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the opposite side of the dispenser appearing in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along a line IV-IV in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view as seen from the cutting line V-V in FIG. 1.

For convenience in description, the terms upper, lower, front, rear" and words of similar import will have reference to the dispenser as appearing in FIG. 1. The terms inner, outer and derivatives thereof will have reference to the geometric center of the roll of tape as applied to the parts of the dispenser attached to said roll.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The objects and purposes of the invention, including those set forth above have been met by providing a hand-held dispenser having a positioning member removably attachable to a roll of adhesive tape and a support structure which is secured to and extends substantially radially outwardly from said positioning member. Resiliently biased stop means releasably holds the tape roll on the dispenser, and the support structure has a cutting edge near the radially outer end thereof which is engageable by the tape for severing same. Tape guide means and a thumb-engaging flange are rigidly secured to the support structure to facilitate operation of the dispenser.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The tape dispenser 10, FIGS. 1 and 2, which has been selected to illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, is comprised of an arcuate positioning member 11, which is slidably receivable into the central opening 12 in a roll 13 of tape 14, which may have a pressure-sensitive adhesive on one side thereof. Dispenser 10 also includes support structure 16 which is rigidly secured to the positioning member 11 and extends radially outwardly therefrom.

More specifically, the support structure 16 (FIG. 2) includes a first or inner channel-shaped member 17 which has an outer flange 18 and an inner flange 19 (FIG. 4). The flange 19 is secured to a flattened part 23 of the positioning member 11 near one end thereof by welding, but other securing means may be used. The web 20 defines a plane which is preferably parallel with the rear side of the positioning member 11.

An L-shaped stop 24 has a spring flange 26 (FIG. 4) which is secured, as by welding, near its free end to the flattened part 23 of the member 1 l. A stop flange 27 on the stop 24 is adapted for normal positioning substantially parallel with the web 20 and spaced therefrom a distance slightly larger than the maximum width of the roll 13 to be mounted upon the dispenser 10. The stop flange 27 projects radially outwardly from its positioning member 11 so that it engages the core 30 at the radially inner edge of the roll (FIG. 1) to prevent accidental disengagement between the dispenser l0 and the roll 13.

The channel member 17 includes an integral guide element 28 which is integral with a downward projection 29 of the web 20. The guide element 28 is parallel with and spaced downwardly from the outer flange 18.

A second or outer channel member 32 has an inner flange 33 which is secured, as by welding, to the outer flange 18 of the channel member 17. The web 34 of channel member 32 defines a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the web 20 of channel member 17. The web 34 furnishes a broad downwardly facing surface 36 along which the tape 14 can move when it is being applied to an object 37.

The outer flange 38 of the channel member 32 is engaged by a blade 39 having a downwardly facing cutting edge 42. Said blade 39 is preferably held against the outer surface of the flange 38 by a clamping plate 43, which is secured to flange 28 by the nuts 44 and bolts 45. That is, the bolts 45 extend through appropriate aligned openings in the plate 43, flange 38 and blade 39. The clamping plate 43 has integral, downwardly projecting blade guards 47 and 48 (FIG. 5) at the opposite ends of the cutting edge 42 to prevent injury by the ends of the cutting edge.

The inner flange 33 of the channel member 32 has an integral extension 51 which is disposed at an inward angle with respect to the remainder of the flange 33 so that it tends to follow the contour of the outer periphery (FIG. 1) of the roll 13. The extension 51 is engageable by the thumb of a hand when the fingers thereof extend through the opening defined by the positioning member 11. Thus, the dispenser can be gripped firmly between the fingers and thumb for normal operation. If, however, it becomes desirable to either slow down or completely stop rotation of the roll 13 with respect to the positioning member 11, hence the dispenser 10, such can be done by removing the thumb from the extension 51 and placing it against the peripheral surface of the roll 13 or, alternatively, by merely gripping the roll and the positioning member 1 1 between the fingers and palm of the hand. Accordingly, a braking action on the movement of the roll relative to the dispenser can be effected and controlled by the hand holding the dispenser.

OPERATION While the operation of the dispenser 10 will be apparent to skilled persons after examining the foregoing descriptive material, a brief summary of such operation will be set forth hereinafter for convenience.

A roll 13 of the proper inside diameter is placed adjacent to the front side (FIG. 1) of the positioning member 11 and the stop flange 27 is moved downwardly, as seen in FIG. 4, to that the roll 13 can slide over the flange 27 and onto the positioning member 11. The stop flange 27 is automatically returned to its FIG. 1 position bythe spring flange 26. The tape 14 is threaded between the guide element 28 and the adjacent surfaces of the first and second channel members and 32. The adhesive side of the tape 14 will normally be facing downwardly as appearing in FIG. 1 so that it can be easily caused to engage the object 37 upon which tape is to be applied. The dispenser is then moved along the object while the tape unrolls from the roll 13 and becomes attached to the object. In most instances, this can be accomplished merely by maneuvering the dispenser 10. In other instances it may require some assistance from the other hand. However, when sufficient tape is applied to the object, said tape can then be easily and quickly severed by rotating the dispenser from its FIG. 1 position in a counterclockwise direction until the cutting edge 42 of the blade 39 engages the tape. Downward pressure of the blade against the tape accompanied by a slight sideward tilting of the dispenser will effect a severing of the tape.

The element 28 prevents the tape from returning against the outer surface of the roll 13. Moreover, said element 28 holds the tape in a position where it can be readily and quickly attached to an object, often without any assistance from the operators other hand. It may become desirable to have the tape serve as a reinforcement around a package, for example, particularly where the tape has fiberglass threads running lengthwise thereof. In such case the user of the dispenser can grip the roll and positioning member 11 between the fingers and the palm of his hand so that relative movement between these two is at least impaired, if not prevented. Then the tape can be tightened without unrolling from the roll.

When the tape 14 is exhausted from the roll 13, the core 30 of theroll is removed by moving the stop member 24 radially inwardly so said core can be disengaged from the positioning member 11, and replaced with a fresh roll of tape.

Although a particular preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, including the rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the present invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:'

l. A portable device for dispensing tape from a roll thereof having a cylindrical opening therethrough, comprising:

positioning means adapted for reception into and engagement with the means defining the cylindrical opening in said roll, said positioning means including an arcuate positioning member having a partial cylindrical shape and extending through an angle in excess of but substantially less than 360, said arcuate positioning member having a flattened part adjacent one end thereof;

first channel-shaped support means fixedly and rigidly secured to said arcuate positioning member and projecting radially outwardly therefrom, said first support means having substantially parallel inner and outer flanges and a first web extending between and fixedly connected to said inner and outer flanges, said inner flange being positioned adjacent and fixedly secured to the flattened part of said arcuate positioning member, said first web projecting radially outwardly adjacent one side of said arcuate positioning member, whereby said first web is adapted to be positioned adjacent one axial end of and extend beyond the periphery of a roll of tape mounted on said arcuate positioning member;

second channel-shaped support means having substantially parallel inner and outer flanges and a second substantially planar web extending between and fixedly connected to said inner and outer flanges, said inner flange of said second support means being disposed directly adjacent and fixedly secured to the outer flange of said first support means, and said second web being disposed within a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by said first web and substantially parallel to the axis of said arcuate positioning member;

blade means mounted on the outer flange of said second support means, said blade means having an elongated cutting edge disposed closely adjacent and substantially parallel with the plane defined by said second web, said elongated cutting edge extending in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of said arcuate positioning member;

said positioning means further including a flange mounted on said arcuate positioning member in the vicinity of said flattened portion, said flange projecting radially outwardly from the other side of said arcuate positioning member whereby said flange and said first web are thus positionable adjacent opposite axial sides of said roll when same is mounted on said arcuate positioning member;

guide means fixedly secured to the web of said first support means, said guide means including an elongated guide-element extending along and substantially coplanar with the outer flange of said first support means and being laterally spaced therefrom to define an elongated narrow slot therebetween for permitting said tape as dispensed from said roll to pass therethrough, said slot being open on one side thereof; and platelike extension means fixedly connected to one of said outer flange of said first support means and said inner flange of said second support means, said projection means extending along but being spaced from the outer peripheral surface of the roll of tape mounted on the positioning means and being adapted for engagement by the thumb of a hand used for supporting the dispensing device. 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said platelike extension means is integrally connected to an edge of the inner flange of said second support means and projects from said inner flange at an angle thereto, said extension means being spaced from and maintained out of engagement with the outer periphery of said roll of tape.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said blade means includes an elongated blade member positioned directly adjacent the outer surface of said outer flange of said second support means, a platelike clamping member positioned directly adjacent said blade member whereby said blade member is thus held between said outer flange and said clamping member, and threaded fastener means extending between said clamping member and the outer flange of said second support means for fixedly securing said blade member therebetween, said clamping member having projections adjacent the opposite ends thereof which extend beyond the cutting edge of the blade member for protecting said cutting edge. 

1. A portable device for dispensing tape from a roll thereof having a cylindrical opening therethrough, comprising: positioning means adapted for reception into and engagement with the means defining the cylindrical opening in said roll, said positioning means including an arcuate positioning member having a partial cylindrical shape and extending through an angle in excess of 180* but substantially less than 360*, said arcuate positioning member having a flattened part adjacent one end thereof; first channel-shaped support means fixedly and rigidly secured to said arcuate poSitioning member and projecting radially outwardly therefrom, said first support means having substantially parallel inner and outer flanges and a first web extending between and fixedly connected to said inner and outer flanges, said inner flange being positioned adjacent and fixedly secured to the flattened part of said arcuate positioning member, said first web projecting radially outwardly adjacent one side of said arcuate positioning member, whereby said first web is adapted to be positioned adjacent one axial end of and extend beyond the periphery of a roll of tape mounted on said arcuate positioning member; second channel-shaped support means having substantially parallel inner and outer flanges and a second substantially planar web extending between and fixedly connected to said inner and outer flanges, said inner flange of said second support means being disposed directly adjacent and fixedly secured to the outer flange of said first support means, and said second web being disposed within a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by said first web and substantially parallel to the axis of said arcuate positioning member; blade means mounted on the outer flange of said second support means, said blade means having an elongated cutting edge disposed closely adjacent and substantially parallel with the plane defined by said second web, said elongated cutting edge extending in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of said arcuate positioning member; said positioning means further including a flange mounted on said arcuate positioning member in the vicinity of said flattened portion, said flange projecting radially outwardly from the other side of said arcuate positioning member whereby said flange and said first web are thus positionable adjacent opposite axial sides of said roll when same is mounted on said arcuate positioning member; guide means fixedly secured to the web of said first support means, said guide means including an elongated guide element extending along and substantially coplanar with the outer flange of said first support means and being laterally spaced therefrom to define an elongated narrow slot therebetween for permitting said tape as dispensed from said roll to pass therethrough, said slot being open on one side thereof; and platelike extension means fixedly connected to one of said outer flange of said first support means and said inner flange of said second support means, said projection means extending along but being spaced from the outer peripheral surface of the roll of tape mounted on the positioning means and being adapted for engagement by the thumb of a hand used for supporting the dispensing device.
 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said platelike extension means is integrally connected to an edge of the inner flange of said second support means and projects from said inner flange at an angle thereto, said extension means being spaced from and maintained out of engagement with the outer periphery of said roll of tape.
 3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said blade means includes an elongated blade member positioned directly adjacent the outer surface of said outer flange of said second support means, a platelike clamping member positioned directly adjacent said blade member whereby said blade member is thus held between said outer flange and said clamping member, and threaded fastener means extending between said clamping member and the outer flange of said second support means for fixedly securing said blade member therebetween, said clamping member having projections adjacent the opposite ends thereof which extend beyond the cutting edge of the blade member for protecting said cutting edge. 